In a world focused on finding alternative and cleaner means to live by, Toyota has managed to established itself a class leader in petrol-hybrid-technologies and have sold more than 200,000 hybrids to UK customers! We have recently got involved in the ‘We Choose Hybrid’ campaign with Toyota. A great initiative that sits perfectly in the current ‘climate’, no pun intended! Recently, you will have noticed a whole load of news and media regarding environmental motoring with focus on the diesel scrappage scheme and the ever-growing culture and initiatives for alternative powered vehicles.
So,what is Hybrid? What are the benefits? What is included in the Toyota Hybrid range? We’ve got all the answers here.
What is Hybrid?
In its most simple explanation, a Hybrid car is a vehicle that uses more than one source of power and propulsion. In this instance it applies to a vehicle that uses either a petrol or diesel engine combined with an electric motor which saves on fuel use when compared to conventional non-hybrid vehicles. Because of this, owners can benefit from lower rates of road tax as well as avoiding those pesky congestion charges! Toyota Hybrid cars are exactly this, they save on fuel, reduce your emissions and are even designed to recharge their own battery using kinetic energy whilst on the move!
A Hybrid car consists of two engines: one petrol and one electric. These two power sources are designed to work perfectly insync to deliver a smooth and responsive ride, delivering just the right amount of power when you need it! An intelligent power system delivers the power and torque to support all your journey. At low and steady speeds, the engine is turned off and the car is driven by the electric motor only. When maximum acceleration is needed the petrol powered engine kicks in and works alongside the electric motor. At stages in between any excess energy is used to recharge the battery.
How does this intelligent power system work exactly?
Uphill: Both engines will kick in to deliver full power to take on any gradient with ease
Deceleration and Braking: A really clever system recycles the kinetic energy and recharges the battery whilst you are coming to a stand still or slowing down.
Overtaking: Maximum acceleration needs all the power, so both engines kick in to deliver full power..
Standstill: Both engines are automatically switched off so no energy is wasted.
What is a hybrid car’s fuel economy like?
The first thing to remember when thinking about both the performance and the economy of a hybrid is that they are not like other cars and therefore they cannot be directly compared! For example, city driving is recognised as some of the most uneconomic and fuel-guzzling type of driving, well a Hybrid is completely different! They recycle energy and use their two engines to deliver economic performance, as low as 3 litres of petrol per 100km, and this can be further improved with the use of Eco Mode or even the electric EV-mode!
Reasons for going Hybrid?
Peace and Quiet: This is a characteristic that you will not find in conventional cars. Toyota Hybrids allow a quick switch to ‘EV-mode’, the fully electric mode with the benefit of being completely silent! So, whilst safe in the knowledge that you’re not using any fuel you can also relax in the tranquil quiet of your comfortable cabin space!
Low emissions: Emissions in the Toyota Hybrid range are as little as 70g/km! With all the capabilities and practicality of a family car this is extremely impressive! And, if you switch over to EV-mode you can even drive up to 50km/h without producing ANY emissions!
Is this the only type of Hybrid?
Quick answer, no. As well as Hybrid Toyota also have a very special powertrain, the Hybrid plug-in. The most straightforward way to describe what this is a vehicle that embodies all the beneficial characteristics of both an electric car and a hybrid! So, with all the benefits listed above but with extended electric driving range for even more economic and efficient driving helping you be kinder to the environment and your bank balance! As the name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be plugged into an electric outlet to recharge its battery as well as being charged whilst on the move through recovered energy and, with their larger battery, can drive a longer distance on electric energy alone.
What is in the Toyota Hybrid range?
So far we’ve looked at why a Hybrid vehicle could be the right choice for you but what Hybrids are available?
Yaris Hybrid
The Toyota Yaris is a compact car bursting with energy and eye-catching design. Stylish, modern and full of energy!
- Engine - 1.5-litre hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption - Up to 85.6 mpg
- Body Style - 5 door hatchback
- CO2 emissions combined - From 75 g/km
Auris Hybrid
The Toyota Auris is is a bold and dynamic hatchback. Spacious, intuitive and high quality.
- Engine - 1.8-litre hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption - Up to 83.08 mpg
- Body Style - 5 door hatchback
- CO2 emissions combined - From 79 g/km
Toyota C-HR
The Toyota C-HR is an award winning beautifully sculptured crossover.
- Engine - 1.8-litre petrol hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption combined - Up to 74.3 mpg
- Body Style - Compact SUV 5 door
- CO2 emissions combined - From 86 g/km
RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 is a mid-size SUV, a great classic, it was the Reliability and Build Quality Gold Winner in the Driver Power 2017 New Car Survey.
- Engine - 2.5-litre petrol hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption combined - Up to 57.6 mpg
- Body Style - 4X4
- CO2 emissions combined - From 115 g/km
Prius
The Toyota Prius is a mid-sized car and arguably one of the best known Hybrids known for both it’s style and responsiveness. 
- Engine - 1.8-litre hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption combined - up to 94.1 mpg
- Body style - 5 door hatchback
- CO2 emissions combined - from 70 g/km
Prius+
The Toyota Prius+ is the larger edition to the Prius Hybrid family, with the capacity to sit up to 7 people. A prime example of how a family car can be stylish, practical and economic.
- Engine - 1.8-litre hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption combined - up to 74.33 mpg
- Body Style - 5 door hatchback / 7 seats
- CO2 emissions combined - from 96 g/km
Prius Plug-in
The Toyota Prius Plug-in is the most economic of the Prius family. Ultra-low CO2 emissions mean you get all the benefits of a hybrid car but with extended EV driving.
- 1.8-litre plug-in hybrid automatic
- Fuel consumption combined - up to 134.5 mpg
- Body style - 5 door hatchback
- CO2 emissions combined - 22 g/km
We Choose Hybrid
As part of the ‘We choose Hybrid’ we are running a campaign to demonstrate the benefits of Hybrid by inviting customers to our Toyota Dealership where your driving skills will be put to the test whilst also enjoying the brilliant experience of our amazing range of Hybrid vehicles. How far can you drive in electric mode? Take a look at Discover Toyota Hybrid here. We are recording and displaying the results too! Come and see what it’s like to drive a hybrid. So, how efficient is your driving? Can you be top of the table?
There’s only one way to find out!